20 Weeks

Harry figured he had coffee running through his veins instead of blood from the way he kept pumping caffeine into his body on a daily basis.

His six-day workweeks and almost twelve-hour days were putting a strain on his body and mind. He'd never spent so much time at the Auror Office. He stuffed a donut into his mouth and checked his morning messages. He wanted to read and answer them before he headed out to the crime scene outside Exeter.

Most were meeting reminders, missives about laws, interrogations, and the days and times that were available for him to enter Azkaban for questioning. He'd have to run the times with Castle.

He felt a chill run down his spine. He hated going to Azkaban. He rubbed his hands over his face. Azkaban always left him feeling drained and empty. Despite his protests, the ministry still used dementors around the high-security cells. There was no way to avoid it since that's where their holding cells were located.

The next letter he picked up made him pause. He recognized Hermione's crisp lettering. He flipped it open and read over the contents:

- It slipped my mind, but I forgot to tell you we have another baby appointment. It's set for this Sunday. You'll be able to make it, won't you?-

Harry grabbed a blank piece of parchment and quickly wrote back, writing that Sunday was perfect and that he'd call her later.

The rest of his week was going by in a blur. He barely saw Hermione, only seeing her in passing, making an effort to try and see her during his breaks. At least he was able to call Howard briefly the previous day, just to check in on him.

Hermione's dad sounded happy on the phone and admitted he was disappointed in himself for worrying his family - all because of his diet and lack of vitamins.

"You better take care of yourself, Harry," he said before they hung up, "not just for yourself, but for Hermione and the little one."

"Potter," Castle knocked on his open office door. "Azkaban has an opening tomorrow to interrogate Roswell."

"Tomorrow? But, tomorrow is Saturday."

Castle dropped her eyes to the floor. "I know. Sorry, Potter, but we have to do this. I'll meet you there at 8 am."

He nodded and waited for her to leave and close his office door before he slammed his hand against his desk. "Damn it."

He hated going to Azkaban, but going on Saturday just meant he'll be in a foul mood for the rest of his weekend. He turned into a different person in the prison - someone harder, colder. And he dragged those feelings out with him, it lingered around him like a miasma.

"Harry?"

He looked up, finding Neville staring at him.

"Best prepare yourself for that," he said, striding over to his desk, "Azkaban."

"What do you suggest?" Harry tossed his pen onto his desk.

"I like to read something funny. Or go see Hannah."

Harry stared at the paperwork spread across his desk. He could go see Hermione. See how she's doing. Maybe actually have lunch?

Harry jumped to his feet and strolled out of his office, ignoring Neville's soft laughter. He headed straight for the lift.

"You're in a hurry," Lena saddled into the lift beside him, a hand rested on her waist.

He gulped and kept his eyes on the lifts metal closure.

"Did you ever imagine we'd be where we are today," she voiced, "you could become the next Head Auror. I'm the lead trainer and combat strategist for the DMLE. Who would have thought we'd be here, from those late-night conversations to this."

He shifted. "Did you just call us having sex 'late-night conversations'?"

She shrugged, smirking at him. "Yeah, I can't very well say aloud what we were actually doing while we're at work. It's inappropriate."

"I kind of miss it, you know," she confessed. She looked him up and down. "I'm sure you've gotten better at it."

He felt his face heat up. "I'm not going to talk about that."

She laughed. "See, inappropriate."

The lift stopped and announced the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The metal closure opened.

"Is this your stop?" She asked.

Harry simply walked out of the lift and walked toward Mrs. Fawley's desk, listening for the lift to close and move again.

"Good morning, Auror Potter," Mrs. Fawley greeted. "Looking for Ms. Granger?"

Harry briefly glanced over his shoulder. Relieved Lena didn't follow him out of the lift. He turned his attention back to Mrs. Fawley. "Yes, is she busy?"

She shook her head. "She's in her office. Do you mind taking these to her?" She handed him a stack of papers.

He thanked Mrs. Fawley and headed toward Hermione's office. He heard voices as he got closer.

"I actually can't believe I'm lucky enough to have lunch with you," a masculine-sounding voice said.

"Warwick, you're being ridiculous." But, Hermione chuckled and Harry would bet she was blushing.

"Come on, Granger. It's you. Don't forget, now. I'll swing by your office to pick you up."

A brown-haired, dark-skinned man strolled out of Hermione's office, a wide grin on his face. His gaze fell on Harry and he immediately stilled. "Bloody hell, Auror Potter. What an honor."

Harry heard shuffling from Hermione's office. He gave the man a curt nod.

"Ahmed Warwick," he held his hand out.

Harry shook his hand reluctantly.

Hermione appeared in the doorway of her office. "Harry, what a surprise."

Harry dropped the man's hand and stared at him until he shuffled away. He handed Hermione the papers he was holding. "Mrs. Fawley said these are for you."

She skimmed over them lightly. "Oh, these are the responses from my testimonial for the werewolf legislation."

She moved back into her office. Harry followed her in but hovered just inside by the door.

Who the hell was Ahmed Warwick? He'd never seen him before. Did Hermione meet him somewhere and why hadn't she told him?

A soft touch met his cheek. He sucked in a breath and turned, meeting her eyes which were creased in concern.

"You're far away," she said softly. "You came by for a reason. Is everything okay?"

His jaw clenched. "I was going to ask if you're free for lunch, but it looks like you're already busy."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. Warwick -"

"It's nothing. Enjoy yourself," he said shortly. "I'll see you later." He turned on his heel and rushed back to the lift.

His mind was all over the place for much of the day. He took a few deep breaths to refocus himself. Finish his paperwork. Go over the evidence and notes taken from his investigation at Exeter and now meet with Castle to go over their potential questions.

Harry downed the coffee Castle had offered him. He ignored her curious gaze and set the now empty mug aside.

She dipped her quill into the inkwell. "I hope you're not too angry about our trip tomorrow."

Harry shook his head. "No, besides, it can't be avoided."

She nodded. Laughter from outside her office filled the air. She sighed, turning to the open doorway with a frown.

Lena, Abbott, and Headley were standing by Roxanne's desk jostling each other and laughing.

Castle sighed. "You'd think they'd have a little more restraint." She waved her wand and the door to her office closed softly. "Especially Lockwood. She's only a few years younger than me."

Someone knocked on the door.

Lena popped her head in. "Castle, Potter, we're heading to the pub tonight and you're both invited. Mystic Brew, after work. Don't be strangers." She winked at Harry and then slipped back out and closed the door.

Castle shook her head. "I'll take the necessary evidence files and paperwork. You just meet me at the guardhouse at eight tomorrow. Alright, Potter?"

"Sounds good." It sounded perfect, he thought, as he gathered his things and returned to his office. With any luck, they'll only be at Azkaban for two to three hours. The less the better.

The shuffling and impatience to clock out, now that the workday was over and the weekend upon them, was evident throughout the floor.

Harry walked into his shared office. Ron and Neville were wrapping up the remainder of their tasks, putting files in their rightful places, and cleaning up their desks.

Neville slipped on his cloak. He was heading straight home, probably to share a warm dinner with his fiancée.

Ron was heading to the movies with his girlfriend.

And Harry? If he was lucky, he could potentially head out right now too.

Neville patted him on the shoulder on his way out of the office.

Ron came around his desk, leaning against the front. "Why are you mad?"

"I'm not mad." Harry tossed his files onto his desk.

"Sure." Ron looked at him skeptically. "Does it have something to do with Hermione?"

"No," he said curtly.

Ron crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you doing after work?"

Harry shrugged. "Don't know."

"You heading to the pub with the others?"

"I might." And why not? He could hang out with his coworkers. The same way Hermione could hang out with some bloke. He probably should. Bonding with his coworkers and all that.

"Don't go."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Why not?"

Ron frowned. "Don't do something you'll regret."

"What do you mean?" He snapped.

Ron grabbed his cloak. "I'll see you on Monday."

He gripped the edge of his desk. "Ron?"

But, Ron ignored him and exited the office.

What the bloody hell? What was his deal? Harry put his files away and then grabbed his cloak from the hanger. Why were all his friends being so frustrating today?

Merlin, he could use a drink.

# # #

Harry kicked his foot against the bottom step leading up to the door of Grimmauld Place. The thought of sitting in a crowded pub, drinking alcohol he didn't even like, with people he didn't want to see made him anxious. So, he came here instead.

But what if she had company?

He quickly dialed Hermione's number, hoping she was home and not busy.

"Hi, Harry," she answered, sounding far away.

"Hey," he held his hand against the door, "are you home?"

"Yes. Do you want to come over?"

"I'm at the door."

"You're at the door?"

He heard her breathe heavily against the line. The door flung open and Hermione stood before him. Her long brown hair hung down her back and she wore loose comfy shorts and the souvenir shirt he had gotten her from the London Zoo.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hey."

Her eyes trailed over his face. She stepped aside. "I'm about to make dinner."

He stepped inside, taking his cloak off and hanging it over his arm. "What are you having tonight?"

"Chicken with greens." She led the way down to the kitchen. "I still can't handle beef or turkey right now so I'm sticking with chicken."

Harry set his cloak aside, his gaze roamed around the room. "You're alone?"

She looked over her shoulder. "Yeah, I live alone, or did you forget?"

He joined her by the stove where she was readying to place the chicken on the pan. "I just thought that bloke would be here," he muttered.

"What bloke?" She placed a head of romaine lettuce and broccoli in front of him.

He walked over to the sink and began washing the lettuce and broccoli. Once he finished, he set it aside, grabbed a cutting board, and began prepping the lettuce. "The one who was in your office. Warwick?"

"Oh." She moved around him and grabbed a small bowl of strawberries and set it beside the cutting board. "He's one of my new coworkers. He wanted to go over some regulations and I said I had time over lunch."

He held a handful of lettuce over a large bowl. That was it? It wasn't a date?

He felt her eyes on him. "What did you think he was doing there? Why would you think he'd be here?"

"I don't know," he grumbled. He dropped the lettuce into the bowl. "I thought maybe you two were going out."

"Going out." She stood at the stove, moving the chicken around the pan. "Like on a date?"

Harry didn't answer.

"No one has asked me on a date, Harry." She covered the chicken with a lid. "But, if someone did, would you be angry?"

He placed the rest of the lettuce in the bowl and began chopping the broccoli.

"Harry?"

Would he be angry? He wouldn't, right? If Hermione found someone she'd like to be with - that's great. He'd be lonely, but that wasn't a good reason for Hermione to not look for someone, to find happiness with someone. He didn't have a claim over her. He'd miss her though.

The pull at his chest was telling him something else.

Just the fact that he had been jealous over some potential date was bad news.

"When you're done with the broccoli, can you cut up the strawberries and add them to the salad?" Hermione set a baking sheet on the counter and an unopened roll of dough for biscuits. Silently, with her wand, she opened the roll and began making round balls of dough and floating them onto the sheet.

The kitchen was quiet as they worked. Hermione eventually turned on the radio and they listened to soft pop as the kitchen filled with the scent of chicken and biscuits.

The food was done. The biscuits were cooling. Harry plated them some food and brought it to the table and took a seat.

"Grape juice or water?" Hermione offered.

"Water."

She set his water on the table and sat down with her own cup of grape juice. She began eating without saying a word.

His gaze moved from his plate to Hermione. "I have to go to Azkaban tomorrow," he said softly.

He felt her hand on his. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head.

"I got a new movie. Do you want to watch it after dinner?"

He curled his pinkie finger around hers. "What is it about?"

"An alien who crash lands in Hawaii."

He shot her a quizzical look which she responded with a small grin. They ate the rest of their dinner in silence. When they finished, they cleaned up their dishes, readied a plate of biscuits, a bowl of popcorn, and headed up to the first-floor sitting room to watch the best movie ever, according to Teddy, who had let Hermione borrow said movie.

Harry plopped down into the sofa and once Hermione set up the movie, she launched herself onto the space beside him and cuddled into his side.

"Our appointment is this Sunday." She rested her head on his shoulder. "We can find out if the baby is a girl or a boy."

"Bloody hell, really?" He shifted, turning so he could rest his hand on her belly. "Do you want to find out?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Do you want to?"

Harry moved his hand over her belly. She still wasn't too big, big enough for others to notice she was pregnant, but not big enough that she waddled.

It won't matter if their baby was a boy or a girl or none of the above, but Harry wanted to know. Just so he could know his baby a little more.

"I want to," he whispered into her hair. "I want to find out."

Hermione returned her attention to the movie and Harry didn't say anything when she eventually fell asleep twenty minutes into the movie. He simply moved so they could lay down across the sofa.

And when the movie was over and she was still asleep, he roused her enough to take her to the bedroom and helped her under the covers. Without a passing thought, he pulled his shirt over his head, kicked off his slacks, and slipped in beside her.

His eyes fluttered. He felt fingertips trail down the side of his face and move through his hair.

"Harry, it's time to wake up. You need to head out."

He turned his head into the pillow. "What time is it?"

"It's just past seven." She kissed his cheek and he sighed. "I made hot chocolate. Come downstairs when you're ready."

He watched her leave in a blurry haze. He sat up with a groan and moved to get the wrinkles out of his clothes. She was right. He had to get up and go. Castle would be waiting for him and he didn't want to be late.

He entered the kitchen and took a deep breath, taking in the warm scent of hot chocolate.

Hermione held out a mug for him. "Do you want to eat something before you?"

He mumbled a quick thanks and gulped down some of the hot drink, wincing at the burn. "I shouldn't."

"Will you be alright?"

He finished the mug and set it aside. "I have to be."

She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her ear against his chest. He brought his arms around her shoulders. "Can I come back when I'm done?"

"Of course, you can."

He held her for a few more moments before kissing the top of her head and stepping out of her hold. "I'll see you later."

He walked out of the kitchen and through the foyer, stepping out onto the front stoop of Grimmauld Place. He took a deep breath and disapparated.

As he grounded himself, he could feel the icy chill of the island that housed one of the wizarding world's most notorious prisons.

He entered the entrance hall and nodded at Castle. Her blonde hair was tied in a tight bun and she already looked worn out from her visit. She held up a folder. "I've got the preliminary evidence and questions for our suspects."

He nodded.

They followed a guard up to the fourth floor. The corridor was dark and damp. The people around them were moaning. There were shouts and yells, but he was sure that was coming from the upper levels.

Another set of guards met them at the other end of the corridor. "The room and prisoner are ready for you Auror Castle, Auror Potter."

Harry nodded. "Let's get this over with."

# # #

Harry returned to Grimmauld Place and after kicking off his shoes and tossing his cloak somewhere, he crawled onto the sofa beside Hermione and promptly closed his eyes.

He took deep breaths and concentrated on the feel of her fingers as they brushed through his hair. He focused on her scent. Something floral. Roses? And she smelled like the hot chocolate she had prepared that morning.

She was soft and warm and all things good. And it shouldn't have felt this wonderful to be held by her. He shouldn't be craving it so much. Was it because of Azkaban? Because it's been so long since he's been cared for like this? Or was it because it was her?

Somehow it's always her.

Deep down, he didn't want to know whether or not this was right. To be back in her arms. To be in her hold and feel like he was back home.

# # #

Harry was abnormally warm and his chest was vibrating. He opened his eyes briefly and through the blurriness saw a pair of yellow jewel-like eyes. He closed his eyes again. "Crookshanks," he said with a groan, "don't."

Hermione giggled.

He opened his eyes at the sound and watched her blurry form enter the sitting room with a slim box in her hands. He fumbled around for his glasses. When he finally placed them back on, he saw that Hermione had entered with a box of pizza.

"Don't we have leftovers from last night?" He tried to sit up, Crookshanks remained firmly on his chest.

"Yes." Hermione set the box down on the coffee table and lifted the top. "But, I wanted pizza so I ordered some." She sat down on the edge of the sofa.

He pulled his legs back and in the process of sitting up fully and propping his feet on the ground, Crookshanks fell into his lap with a low meow.

Hermione sat further back on the sofa. "He's been sleeping on you for about an hour. I was getting worried that he was going to smother you."

"An hour?" Harry scratched the spot behind Crookshanks' ear. "What time is it?"

"Almost five." She grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza and switched on the telly.

"Five?" He rolled his shoulders and looked around. "Wait, what time did I come back?"

She grimaced slightly. "Around one?"

He fell against the sofa. "I was at Azkaban for five hours?" He felt her squeeze his thigh.

"Come eat something," she said softly. "Pizza. Leftovers. Something."

He scooted closer and picked up a slice of pizza. After a few moments, he said, "so I slept for four hours?"

"Pretty much," she answered with a shrug.

He sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I know how exhausting it is. Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head. "There's nothing really to talk about." He finished his pizza in three bites. "What did you do today?"

"I cleaned the spare room. Opened the breast pump I bought and tried to figure out how it worked." She took a bite of her pizza and then continued, "I watched the movie Teddy let me borrow and I read for a little bit."

"Sounds like a day well spent," he said. He brushed his air out of his face. "Speaking of the nursery, we should put the cot together."

Hermione brightened up. "Yes! Do you think we'll be able to put it together?"

He looked at her in disbelief. "Of course we can."

# # #

Harry set his hands on his waist and blew out a puff of air. "Is there supposed to be so many pieces?"

Her laughter made him smile.

"We can totally put it together," she teased. She walked up behind him, her hand trailing along his back. He felt a tingle go up his spine. She leaned on her tip-toes and kissed the side of his jaw.

Not wanting to be stumped by a piece of furniture, Harry sat down, flipped open the instructions, and got to assembling.

Hermione flitted around him, handing him tools, hardware, or cot pieces. Eventually, she sat down beside him, sitting cross-legged and looking through a catalog of baby and children's furniture, clothes, and accessories. "Oh, we forgot to get the mattress." She rolled her eyes.

"We'll get it, don't worry. We'll be ready. We'll have plenty of clothes. Nappies. All of the things."

"I know. Surprisingly, I don't feel to stressed about it. I know we'll be ready." She handed him the last screw and watched as he set the last piece.

He stood and held his hand out to help her up. "There, mission accomplished."

"Only took an hour and a half."

He poked her arm. "Shut it."

She walked around him and traced her fingers over the top of the side rail. "I love it."

He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her torso, resting his hands on her bump. "I can already picture it."

"Hm?"

"Your kid," he began, "standing in their cot, screaming to get out."

She harumphed. "Correction. It'll be your kid, screaming their little messy-haired head because they're hungry."

He grinned and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Our kid."

She rested her hands over his. "Our kid. They'll drive us mad."

He chuckled and kissed the side of her neck. "I can't wait."